10 Ways to Live in the Moment

Living in the moment isn’t always easy. It takes serious effort and commitment. If you’re like me you have a million different things running through your mind at any given time and it’s hard to relax and be fully present. I’ll be 40 in July and it’s made me stop and think about things a little differently. I’m feeling like I need to slow down and find the joy in the simplest things and make every single moment count.

A very wise man once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Ok, so that was Ferris Bueller obviously, but it’s true! I’ve made a commitment to myself to live more in the moment, to be present, give myself permission to be happy and simply enjoy life.

Here are some of the ways I hope to accomplish that:

Do one thing at a time – Multitasking can be great, but there are times when I need to step back and focus on only one thing at a time. Multitasking leads to efficiency, but is it making me happy or adding unwanted stress to my life?

Spend at least 10 minutes a day doing nothing – Turn off my cellphone, turn off the tv and just meditate, go sit outside, stare at the clouds and admire all the beauty around me.

Don’t worry about things that could or might happen – there’s a quote I love, and I’m not sure who originally said it, but Kevin Smith posted it on Twitter way back in 2011 and it’s always stayed with me. “Worry is interest paid in advance on a debt that never comes due.” That is so hard to live by, but it’s true. Worry only about what is happening right now, this moment.

Be present – I want to listen more and talk less. Be more aware of what I’m doing and be a witness to the moment, whatever it is, and not let it pass me by.

Eat slower and savor my food – I want to take in the color, the shape and the textures on my plate. I want to pause, take a moment to inhale and smell my food. Chew slowly, put down my fork between eat bite, and savor it.

Accept what is – I have a favorite saying “It is what it is”, and I truly do believe it most of the time. I experience so much internal suffering by lack of acceptance at what is. That’s not to say that I shouldn’t strive to be better or better my circumstances. But sometimes life doesn’t always give me what I want, when I want it and that’s ok sometimes.

Don’t hold grudges – life is truly too short and I need to get better at letting things go and be more willing to extend forgiveness.

Don’t hold back – I want to do things I’m afraid of or things that aren’t in my comfort zone. I want to love completely and love hard. I’m going to express my thoughts and feelings and take chances.

Learn to say no – I need to stop being a people pleaser. It’s exhausting and causes so much unnecessary stress! I need to learn that I don’t have to say yes to everything that is asked of me. It doesn’t make me selfish or uncaring. Sometimes, for the sake of my mental health, I need to say no and know that it’s ok.

Unplug – this is a super hard one for me, but it is really important to step away every now and then from my phone, and social media, and all of the distractions of the digital world. I want to try and spend at least 30 minutes or more a day completely unplugged, away from my computer, and phone, and use that time to eat dinner as a family, or have a conversation with my spouse spouse and engage with those right in front of me.

It’s going to be hard work, but it’s important and worth it in the long run. Maybe you’re feeling the same way, and want to work toward living more in the moment. If you are, try some of these, and see if you feel a change in your life and I’ll let you know how it goes for me!

What are some of the ways you live in the moment? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

WELCOME!

I'm Michelle Miller (AKA That Mrs. Miller) and I am a photographer, planner junkie and certified craft supply hoarder. My husband Mike and I are "Mom and Dad" to a super awkward pug/chihuahua named Tini, and a tortoiseshell kitty (with a male name), Boo Radley. My blog is a hodge-podge of photos, crafting, odd bits about my life, and everything else in between, so take a look around and thanks for stopping by!